Active duty service members can get free national park passes

May 31, 2012

Written by

| News-Leader staff

Since Armed Forces Day on May 19, active duty service men and women — Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and activated National Guard and Reserves — have been eligible to obtain special passes granting free or reduced price access to national parks.

The passes are the new military version of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass and will be accepted at US Forest Service recreation sites; National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Army Corps sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees.

Military members and their dependents can pick up a pass at any Mark Twain National Forest district office. Members must show a current, valid military identification card to obtain their pass. The pass also is available to dependents of active duty personnel.

For Mark Twain National Forest managed sites that have day use fees, the pass will provide military members free access.

For Mark Twain National Forest sites managed by concessionaires, the pass will provide half off day use fees.

Where there are entrance fees, the pass covers the owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at recreation sites that charge per vehicle. At sites where per-person entrance fees are charged, it covers the pass owner and three accompanying adults age 16 and older. There is no entry fee for children 15 and under.

While the pass is not available to veterans and retirees, many of these individuals are eligible for other discounted passes, such as the Senior Pass, granting lifetime access to U.S. citizens over 62 for $10, and the Access Pass granting free lifetime access for permanently disabled U.S. citizens.

The initiative was announced during a ceremony May 15, 2012 at Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, Va., where Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis and Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Jo-Ellen Darcy distributed the first passes to one member from each of the military’s five branches.

“Our country's iconic memorials, open spaces, and majestic landscapes provide inspiration for those serving in the military, especially those far from home,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, whose agency oversees national forests. “In appreciation for their service, we want to encourage these men and women and their families to visit and enjoy America's wondrous lands and waterways.”

“Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to our service men and -women who make great sacrifices and put their lives on the lines to protect our country and preserve our freedom,” Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar said. “In recognition of their contributions and service, we are putting out a welcome mat for these brave men and women and their families at America’s most beautiful and storied sites.”